Lesson 2: National soft power in the integration era

Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation (Resolution 59) marks a strategic decision, opening up a large development space for Vietnamese culture.

On August 9, the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association was launched to the public with the message of spreading the value of Ao Dai - national cultural heritage, connecting communities at home and abroad. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Not only does it orient the development of domestic culture, the Resolution also affirms the position of national culture on the international map, making an important contribution to building national soft power in the integration era.

Culture - a pillar in international integration

On September 16, at the National Conference to disseminate and implement 4 Resolutions of the Politburo , Party Central Committee Secretary, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung delivered a presentation on the key content of Resolution 59 and the Action Program to implement Resolution 59.

According to comrade Le Hoai Trung, international integration does not only take place in the economic , trade, defense or science-technology aspects, but also increasingly demonstrates its strength in the cultural field. Culture is both the spiritual foundation of society and the driving force for national development, and also the "bridge" for countries and peoples to understand, cooperate and develop sustainably.

After nearly 40 years of renovation, Vietnam has achieved many great achievements in the international integration process. However, the cultural field still has gaps and challenges posed by the impact of the market economy, the strong penetration of foreign cultural products, along with the risk of traditional values ​​​​fading away. In that context, Resolution 59 was issued, carrying great expectations for a fundamental transformation, making culture a pillar in the integration process.

Speaking at the conference, referring to Resolution 59, General Secretary To Lam pointed out: "Integration fields must be closely linked and complement each other in a comprehensive strategy, with focus, key points, and selection with appropriate roadmap and steps"; at the same time, the General Secretary requested "promoting comprehensive integration in culture, society, tourism, environment, education and training, health care and other fields, in order to promote and popularize national culture...".

With Resolution 59, for the first time, international cultural integration is placed in the overall national development strategy, closely linked with political, economic, social and diplomatic security. The Resolution emphasizes the human factor as the center of cultural integration, thereby setting out the task of developing high-quality cultural human resources, nurturing a team of artists, intellectuals, and researchers, while creating a mechanism to protect rights and encourage creativity.

With Resolution 59, for the first time, international cultural integration is placed within the overall national development strategy, closely linked with political, economic, social and diplomatic security.

The Resolution emphasizes the human factor as the center of cultural integration, thereby setting out the task of developing high-quality cultural human resources, training artists, intellectuals, and researchers, while creating a mechanism to protect rights and encourage creativity.

Professor Nguyen Chi Ben, former Director of the National Institute of Culture and Arts, analyzed: Preserving cultural values ​​without adapting and being creative will easily become outdated. Resolution 59 has opened the door for creativity in culture and promoting Vietnam internationally.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, full-time member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, highly appreciated the fact that Resolution 59 has established the position of culture as an important channel to promote Vietnam's image to international friends and participate in the global "soft power competition".

Breakthrough in implementation

The breakthrough of Resolution 59 is in three major aspects: First , a breakthrough in thinking, which is "shifting from a receptive mindset to a contributing mindset, from general integration to full integration, from the position of a behind-the-scenes nation to the status of a rising nation, pioneering in new fields". Culture is no longer behind the economy, but becomes a direct element that creates added value, through cultural industry, creative services, and national brands. The mindset of "culture as soft power" is promoted, considered an effective tool to enhance the nation's position in the international arena.

Second , a breakthrough in mechanisms and policies. The Resolution sets out a mechanism to encourage businesses, social organizations and communities to participate in cultural development, instead of relying solely on the public budget. The mechanism of public-private cooperation and socialization in the cultural field is expanded, creating a driving force to mobilize huge resources. Third , a breakthrough in the method of adapting to the current context, which is to promote international integration in science, technology and innovation, contributing to improving national competitiveness, expanding the space for sustainable development and modernizing the country.

The world is witnessing unpredictable changes, competition in culture, values ​​and development models is increasingly fierce. In that context, Resolution 59 identifies culture as a "bridge" in international relations and affirms national identity and position. Through culture, the image of the country and people of Vietnam will become closer, friendly, rich in identity, contributing to building trust, responsibility and willingness to cooperate with international friends. The integration process inevitably leads to the exchange, even collision between cultures. Without the right direction, identity can easily be blurred, traditional values ​​can easily be overwhelmed.

Therefore, the Resolution emphasizes "integration but not dissolution", preserving the core of tradition, absorbing the quintessence of humanity, creating Vietnamese cultural identity. The Resolution opens up a mechanism to effectively exploit and promote heritage values, turning heritage into a driving force for tourism and creative industry development. Not only that, the Resolution also creates conditions to promote the development of cultural industries, contributing to GDP growth and affirming identity. This shows that Resolution 59 has long-term strategic significance: From cultural industry, cultural diplomacy, cultural education, to nurturing national cultural identity, promoting the role of the Vietnamese community abroad to become "cultural ambassadors"..., forming a Vietnamese cultural ecosystem, constantly affirming its position and confidently integrating internationally.

Dr. Vo Van Dung, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Central Internal Affairs Committee, member of the Central Theoretical Council, assessed: "The policies in the Resolution show a long-term vision, in which national cultural identity is the foundation, the "compass" and the endogenous strength for Vietnam to confidently reach out to the world, contributing to realizing the aspiration of making our country a developed, high-income country by the middle of the 21st century."

The policies in the Resolution show a long-term vision, in which national cultural identity is the foundation, the "compass" and the endogenous strength for Vietnam to confidently reach out to the world, contributing to realizing the aspiration of making our country a developed, high-income country by the middle of the 21st century.

Dr. Vo Van Dung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission, Member of the Central Theoretical Council

Resolution 59 has opened a new chapter for Vietnamese culture in the process of international integration. It is forecasted that in the coming time, the cultural sector will have many opportunities but at the same time will face many challenges, especially fierce competition in the global cultural market, the risk of foreign cultural intrusion, and the pressure to both preserve and innovate. However, with the strategic vision and political determination from Resolution 59, with the joint efforts and determination of the entire Party and people, Vietnamese culture has enough foundation to develop, integrate deeply and affirm its role and position in the international arena.

(To be continued)

Lesson 1: Building a national digital culture

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/bai-2-suc-manh-mem-quoc-gia-trong-ky-nguyen-hoi-nhap-post911596.html